TOOELE COUNTY, Utah-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has pulled its request to rezone a rural area in Tooele County for a high-density housing development concerning the area around the Erda Temple.

Residents have expressed concerns about this proposed development, fearing it could change Erda’s rural feel.

The Church’s First Presidency, Church President Russell M. Nelson and counselors Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring released a statement saying they had decided to withdraw the rezoning request.

The statement said the Church ultimately wishes to avoid discord in the community.

In earlier statements on the matter, the Church had said the temple and residential development will “complement and support each other in essential ways.”

A referendum concerning this development had gained enough signatures to go to a vote, although it still has a one-week period in which signatures can be removed.

Nevertheless, the First Presidency still said they would pull the request regardless of the referendum’s outcome.

The First Presidency also said the referendum may delay or alter construction of the temple.

Some Erda residents have expressed concerns over the location of the temple itself affecting a long-standing drive-in movie theater across the street.